Nestled below the Valletta Bastions along the bustling Marsamxett coastline, Cockney’s Restaurant makes you feel like dining at home, as the familiar taste of garlic and perfectly-cooked fish washes over your palette and you relax watching that ferry bob to and fro between Sliema and the capital.
Cockney’s started life 90 years ago as a fishing shop and adjacent cafe’. This was the perfect location for a fishing shop and ‘Nannu Charles’ stocked tackle, lines and paint. Having bought what they needed, fishermen and sailors would head to the cafe’ next door to play cards, have a drink and fill their thermoses with tea before heading back out to sea.

After a while, ‘Uncle Joseph’ took over; people would flock here for his Sensation milkshake, homemade ice-cream and lemon granite. His Sensation recipe, a secret blend of milk, cinnamon, vanilla ……. . is still done here today and it’s just as popular as it was back then. Uncle Joseph is 94 now and he still pops in sometimes to check up on us and to see how things are going.

I took over after Uncle Joseph, and with the help of my family we set to work, gradually transforming the shop and café to the restaurant you know today. There was a lot to be done before this place could function as one. We started out as a take away and restaurant serving snacks like burgers and pasta; getting to where we are today was quite ambitious and took a while to achieve, but finally we’ve made it.

We kept the name Cockney’s after my grandfather’s nickname; he was called that because he had spent a lot of time in London and had quite an accent! Finally I was able to pay homage to him and to the work that he did when setting everything up in the first place. It feels fantastic to be carrying on from him.

Nowadays, my oldest son manages the restaurant alongside myself, whereas my other two sons and my son-in-law are the chefs today. They have helped to specialise in fish dishes, of which we’ve become renowned for, namely our octopus pasta, spaghetti vongoli e cozze and fish platters, all of which are home made from start to finish. Apart from these we have a multiple choice of other dishes, and a variety of antipasto. Cockney’s also specialises in a selection of pasta and local Maltese food including the traditional ‘aljotta’ and rabbit. Accompanying these mouth-watering dishes, cockney’s also offer a wide selection of wines to compliment your meal.

We really care about what food makes it onto our plates, and I think that is reflected in the taste of our dishes. Today Cockney’s is the perfect place where you can enjoy stunning views complimented by quality of food and friendly service.